Category: Events

Free outdoor concert brings family fun, patriotic flair, and a mesmerizing drone show to the Alys Beach Amphitheatre Sunday, May 26

The streets of Alys Beach will come alive with music, laughter, and dancing as Sinfonia Gulf Coast continues its beloved Memorial Day weekend tradition with the annual Sinfonia Salutes pops concert and drone show on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre.

This festive outdoor performance, which is expected to draw 1,500 music lovers, is free and open to the public. This year’s concert will feature a high-energy program of patriotic and popular tunes will appeal to all ages. Adding to the magic of the evening, the concert will be accompanied by a mesmerizing drone show lighting up the night sky.

Guests are encouraged to bring low-back chairs or blankets and arrive early to find the perfect spot on the green. The amphitheater is located on Scenic Highway 30A directly across from the Gulf of Mexico, making it an idyllic backdrop for a family-friendly holiday weekend celebration. Doors open at 6 p.m., and music begins at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s concert will be conducted by guest artist Aaron King Vaughn, an accomplished music educator and conductor based in Tampa, Florida.

“Looking forward to making some great memories this coming Memorial Day weekend at Alys Beach with Sinfonia Goes Pops! See you there!” said Vaughn.

Sinfonia Salutes continues Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s mission to entertain, educate and inspire the community through innovative programming and high-caliber performances. This event is one of the symphony’s signature traditions that blends professional musicianship with a laid-back beach town vibe.

The concert is presented by the Merchants of Alys Beach. For more information, visit alysbeach.com/events or sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

Photo credit: Moon Creek Studios

For this year’s Annual Friends of the Bay County Public Library Celebration, Lucky Mud with special guest, Sierra Everly will perform on Thursday, March 20 at 6 p.m. at the Bay County Public Library. The set will be a combination of Lucky Mud’s original Americana folk tunes and several Celtic tunes. The after-hours program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. A short Friends meeting will take place following the performance. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries. To become a member of the Friends or learn about how the Friends support the library, visit https://baycountylibraryfriends.org/.

“Lucky Mud is from the deeper side of Folk Music. The couple has a soulful connection that is palpable, and their ballads are a much-needed departure from the cookie cutter, sample-driven fodder currently filling the airwaves. A splendid way to battle the daily grind.” EARBUZZ review.

Lucky Mud: From yodeling to rhythmic drumbeats, from soft, sweet harmonies to rootsy, wicked, belt-it-out swamp sounds, Lucky Mud makes ‘Mud Music.’ They currently have 14 albums. Lucky Mud’s original music has taken them from yearly tours of Ireland and the British Isles to Nova Scotia, shows in Texas, the Montana Poetry and Western Music Festival, and the main stages of both the Florida Folk and the Will McLean Festivals to festivals across the country. For more information about Lucky Mud, visit https://luckymudmusic.com.

The Bay County Public Library is located at 898 W. 11th Street, Panama City. For more information about library programming, call (850) 522-2100 or visit www.nwrls.com.

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) will host their spectacular signature fundraising event, titled “La Vie En Rouge,” on Friday, March 7 from 6-9 p.m.

The non-profit theater company, located at 560 Grand Boulevard, Suite 200 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, will be transformed into a 19th-century Parisian cabaret with decor sponsored by Hilton Sandestin. The signature fundraising event, titled “La Vie En Rouge,” will feature exhilarating live performances, dazzling costumes, and a vibrant atmosphere inspired by the hit musical, Moulin Rouge all thanks to Presenting Sponsor Blue Water Oral Surgery Center. Guests will be greeted upon arrival by our strolling Champagne Dress Lady sponsored by Own at the Beach Team Keller Williams, with champagne courtesy of Vin’tij Food and Wine. Guests will enjoy the Moulin Rouge themed cocktail hour and opening performance by presenting sponsors Blue Water Oral Surgery Center. Commemorative keepsake wine glasses have also been provided by Grand Boulevard. The Cabaret Lounge will host additional craft cocktails made with Distillery 98 Vodka, each poured into a commemorative keepsake rocks glass, courtesy of Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals and Real Estate. Patrons will indulge in gourmet bites prepared by local chefs from Bijoux, Swiftly Catered, Fish On, Cantina Laredo, Tommy Bahama, and more.

From entry to exit, guests will be delighted with spotlight performances that are sponsored by Presenting Sponsor Blue Water Oral Surgery Center, Grand Boulevard, and Ocean Reef Resorts. Throughout the evening guests can expect surprise pop-up performances and atmosphere entertainment from ECTC’s talented performers. There will also be an extensive silent auction and a special finale dessert presented by Cafe Thirty-A.

“La Vie En Rouge is a spectacular way to support the performing arts at Emerald Coast Theatre Company,” said Anna Fisher, ECTC Associate Artistic Director. “Come enjoy this sparkling soiree with all of your friends and favorite performers at ECTC!”

Emerald Coast Theatre Company would like to thank the local businesses and individuals for sponsoring the event- Basmati’s and Poate/Bonjean Financial Group of Wells Fargo. Media sponsors include: Emerald Coast Magazine, Tallahassee Magazine, Life Media, Scarlett Magazine, SoWal.com, and Destin the Beautiful.

All funds raised through ticket sales, donations, and silent auction purchases will go directly to ECTC and their continued mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theatre. Founded by Nathanael and Anna Fisher in 2012, ECTC was created as a place to inspire, educate, and empower the community and artists of all ages. ECTC is passionate about serving its community through educational and professional theatre programs that engage children, families, adults, and seniors. They offer educational theatre programs providing non-screen activities for kindergarten through high school students. These programs build self confidence and communication skills through educational classes, production classes, and school field trip opportunities for children in Walton County, Okaloosa, and Bay County. Their goal is to achieve the highest level of cultural excellence while providing a place for people of all ages to create, collaborate, and enjoy excellent, professional theatre in the Emerald Coast Community.

Tickets are on sale for $150 per person for reserved table seating and $125 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at emeraldcoasttheatre.org. Cocktail attire is suggested. Various Sponsorship and Silent Auction opportunities are also available for local businesses looking to get involved in this signature event. Please email Trenton@emeraldcoasttheatre.org to learn more.